Playground Equipment

ABSTRACT

First and second frame supports ( 12, 13 ) with each including a frame support body ( 21   a,    13   a ) and a frame support base ( 12   b,    13   b ). The frame support bodies are substantially A-frames and the frame support bases are substantially C-shaped cylindrical rods connecting to the ends of a respective one of the A-frame frame support bodies ( 12   a,    13   a ) to form outwardly extending frame support bases. The cross beam ( 15 ) sized or extended by addition of extension beam ( 16 ) to protrude beyond the connection points ( 17 ) and to substantially overly the extension of the frame support base ( 12   b , or  13   b ). This allows a further swing or climbing means or the like to be connected therebetween. Alterable suspension means ( 51 ) includes a cleat plate ( 53 ) with a plurality of holes ( 54 ) to allow the rope ( 52 ) or other elongated flexible cord to be woven through the plurality of the cleat holes ( 54 ) to provide a frictional hold of the rope or other elongated flexible cord.

This invention relates to playground equipment and to component partsthat can interchangeably form part of the playground equipment or can beseparately mounted. The invention particularly relates to a readilydo-it-yourself assembly form of playground equipment, which can includea number of swing elements but is not limited to such arrangement.

Playground sets are typically a framework onto which various children'splay accessories (e.g., swings, slides, climbing structures, basketballrings, etc.) are secured. The children's accessories are attached to theplayground sets in any number of configurations.

Playground sets are commonly sold to consumers as a conglomeration ofunassembled parts in order to facilitate packing, shipping and handling.As a result, the ultimate user at the desired location assembles theplayground sets. The number, size, and complexity of the parts can makeassembly of conventional playground sets extremely cumbersome.

Typical playground sets include one or more horizontal cross-beams thatare supported by two spaced support structures. The cross-beams areusually either metal such as tubular metal or wood as a single beam ortwo parallel interengaging lengths. The support structures can includeone or more supports, or legs commonly placed in an A-frameconfiguration and joined together at the top by the cross beamtherebetween. Although playground equipments are known there are anumber of inherent problems in their structure.

One of the problems associated with conventional playground sets is thatthey are not particularly stable and require pegging to retain them inposition. However the pegging can work loose upon constant or excessiveswinging or the ground might be too soft to provide a strong hold.Although there can be some splaying of opposing A-frame configurationsthe playground set is not overly safe. In particular, the stabilityallowed by the amount of splaying is in opposition to the verticalweight supporting strength of the framework. Therefore such a structurecannot allow splaying beyond about a 10 to 15 degree angle.

Children's swings, glide rides, gymnastic rings and the like usuallyinclude some kind of a seating platform or holding means suspended bysuspension means such as chains, cables, tubes or the like from thehorizontal cross beam. The suspension means are invariably connected tothe top cross beam or other raised support by means allowing thesuspension means to pivot. In one known example, a pair of eye bolts aremounted at spaced-apart locations along the cross beam and the uppermostlinks of a pair of chains supporting the swing seat are connected to theeye bolts by closed S-hooks. To provide safe connection to the chain theother end of the S-hook is closed around the chain to provide a fixedlength. That type of connection is disadvantageous in that the chainscannot be readily adjusted to accommodate different height of childrenand therefore different height requirements of the swing seat orgymnastic bars. If the S-hooks are not fixed it is a requirement toprovide a clip to prevent disengagement of the S-hook from the chain.However such a system allows fingers to be caught in the connection,which can cause serious injury if the chain is supporting the child'sweight and the child is swinging.

Another aspect of known playground sets is that the swing seat isgenerally a planar platform connected between two suspension chains andsuch an open structure is not suitable for very young children underabout two or three years old and needs to be replaced by a swing chair.The consumer usually needs to buy a separate swing chair, which has aseat with supporting back and sides, and often includes a safety strapfor strapping in the child. There are a number of problems with such asystem. Apart from the consumer clearly needing to purchase two seatswithin a short time as the child grows out of the swing chair, there isalso the problem of siblings of different ages such that a swing seatand a swing chair is required to accommodate both children. To onlymount these two articles on playground set does not provide either childwith a choice of swing means and loses the interest of playground set.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide improvedplayground equipment and component parts therefore which overcomes or atleast ameliorates the problems of the prior art.

It is also an object of the invention to provide playground set which issubstantially more stable than known structures and would only requirepegging to the ground as an added precaution.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system, which allows foradjustment of the length of suspended play equipment with such systembeing easy to assemble and safe in use.

Further it is an object of the invention to provide an improved swingseat chair for use in playground equipment.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel swingmeans for attachment on playground equipment.

Each aspect of the invention substantially provides at least one of theabove objects or at least ameliorates one or more of the problems of theprior art.

In accordance with the invention there is provided playground equipmentcomprising a frame structure having first and second frame supportsarranged in opposing manner and connected at respective upper connectingpoints to a cross beam from which swing means of various types can besuspended; each of the opposing first and second frame supportsincluding a frame support body and a frame support base; the respectiveframe support bodies extending substantially in a first plane in adiverging manner from a connecting point to the cross beam; therespective frame support bases extending substantially in a second planefrom an outer side of, and at an angle to the first plane of thediverging frame support bodies; wherein the frame support basesrespectively extend outwardly of the opposing first and second framesupport bodies to provide a stable support of the playground equipment.

The frame support bases can extend from a distal end of the first andsecond frame support bodies from the connecting point and at an angle tothe frame support bodies such that in use a substantial portion of theframe support bases are ground engaging.

The frame support bodies can be substantially A-frame and the framesupport bases can be opposing curved cylindrical rods extending from thebottom of each frame support base.

The frame support bases can be a single substantially C-shapedcylindrical rod connecting the ends of a respective one of the A-frameframe support bodies.

The frame support bases can extend outwardly from the from the framesupport bodies at a ratio of the extension frame support base to theheight of the frame support body of at least 1:5.

It can be seen that the frame structure of the playground equipmentprovides a substantially more stable structure while maintaining thevertical load bearing capacity of the structure. In particular the framesupport bases can provide a large footprint that substantially increasesstability of playground equipment.

A further advantage is that the frame support body and frame supportbase provide a volume that can be used in a number of ways includingforming an enclosed tee-pee type tent by extending material between theouter edges of the frame support body and frame support base. Furtherthe volume can be used to mount a net to form a goal for receiving ballskicked or hit into the area.

However a still further advantage occurs when the cross beam is sized orcan be extended to extend beyond the connection points to the first orsecond frame supports to provide a cantilevered suspension arm forsuspending a further swing or climbing means or the like. The cross beamcan be sized or can be extended to protrude beyond the connection pointsto the first or second frame supports and to substantially overly theextension of the frame support base and allow a further swing orclimbing means or the like to be connected. Such swing or climbing meansor the like can be connected at a lower end to the frame support base.

It can be seen that the structure thereby provides an improvedplayground equipment that can include further swing or climbing means orthe like without substantially increasing the load bearing capacity ofthe cross beam and thereby without requiring larger load bearing pipingor the like.

Also the invention provides an alterable suspension means for swingelements or climbing means or the like of playground equipment; thealterable suspension means including a cleat having a plate with aplurality of holes to allow a rope or other elongated flexible cord tobe woven through a plurality of said cleat holes to provide a frictionalhold of said rope or other elongated flexible cord; and the alterablesuspension means further including a closable casing for enclosing thecleat holes; wherein the alterable suspension means is able to receivesaid rope or other elongated flexible cord and allow a selectivesuspended length and the alterable suspension means is able to beencased to prevent accidental access.

The cleat can be encased by two mating substantially hemispherical typebodies of circular elliptical or other shape and can be fixed togetherby detachable fixing means such as screw means or child proof lockingcatch.

The invention thereby allows selective fixing of adjustable height ofswing elements or climbing means or the like to playground equipment byuse of the alterable suspension means for each suspended rope or otherelongated flexible cord. The children using the swing elements orclimbing means or the like of the playground equipment are not able toaccess the cleat holes and thereby not alter the length or be able to beinjured by the mechanism.

The alterable suspension means can further be used as a rope or otherelongated flexible cord ending means such that a loose end after fittingaround a piece of swing elements or climbing means can be connected backto the suspended rope or other elongated flexible cord.

Still further the invention provides an alterable swing chair which canbe used for playground equipment comprising a substantially planar swingseat that can be suspended by ropes or other elongated flexible cordsfrom playground equipment and used as a swing means; the alterable swingchair further including a swing chair waist means having an encirclingstructure that can be positioned between the spaced ropes or otherelongated flexible cords at a position spaced above the swing seat; andthe alterable swing chair further including a cage attachment meansextending between the swing seat and the swing chair waist means forforming a cage like structure preventing child under the age of 3sliding off the swing seat.

The swing chair waist means and rear of the cage attachment means canfurther include a supporting rear surface for providing at least apartial back support for the child under the age of 3.

The swing chair waist means can include opposing rope receptacles forreceiving the ropes or other elongated flexible cords or attachments onthe ropes at opposite sides of the swing seat to assist retention of theswing chair waist means in position. The swing chair waist means canfurther include cage connection means at front and back and spaced fromthe opposing rope receptacles to further assist retention of the swingchair waist means in position.

The cage attachment means can include a central front narrow elementextending between the swing seat and the swing chair waist means andallowing the user of the swing chair to have legs astride either side toprovide a caged arrangement preventing the child under the age of 3sliding off the front of the swing chair. The central front narrowelement can connect to the swing chair waist means by the front cageconnection means.

In one form of the invention there is provided an alterable swing chairwhich can be used for playground equipment comprising a swing seat, aswing chair waist means, and an interconnecting cage attachment meanswherein the swing seat is able to be suspended by ropes or otherelongated flexible cords from the playground equipment; the swing seatbeing substantially planar and having two spaced holes at either sideand parallel grooves extending across the underside of the seat betweenrespective side holes such that ropes or other elongated flexible cordsby which the swing seat is suspended enters the side holes and fitswithin the parallel grooves and connects back to the suspended rope byalterable suspension means having encased cleat means; the swing chairwaist means having an encircling structure with a double wall structurewhich is substantially closed at the top and substantially open at thebottom, and including opposing rope receptacles comprising slits in theouter of the double wall structure to receive the ropes and includingshaped side cavities for allowing mounting of the rope receptacles onthe encased cleat means which allows positioning of the swing chairwaist means between the spaced ropes or other elongated flexible cordsat a position spaced above the swing seat; and the cage attachment meansincluding a U shape for extending around the swing seat and between theswing seat and the swing chair waist means for forming a cage likestructure preventing child under the age of 3 sliding off the swingseat, the cage attachment having engagement means for engaging the swingseat and having cage connection means for mating with cage connectionmeans on the front and rear of the swing chair waist means.

The invention also provides a method of converting a swing seat suitablefor children over 3 years of age to a swing chair suitable for childrenunder 3 years of age the method including the steps of: positioning asubstantially rigid swing chair waist means forming a encircling meansbetween opposing ropes, which are suspending a swing seat, by means ofproviding side rope receptacles on the swing chair waist means able toreceive the rope and engage the rope or attachments; connecting aU-shaped cage able to be positioned around the swing seat and connectingto connection means at front and rear of the rigid encircling swingchair waist means to form a cage like swing chair.

The invention further provides a kit for converting a swing seatsuitable for children over 3 years of age to a swing chair suitable forchildren under 3 years of age the kit including: a swing chair waistmeans having encircling means and side rope connectors able to engage orreceive the rope suspending a swing seat and capture the rope or anattachment on the rope; and a U-shaped cage able to be positioned aroundthe swing seat and connect to connection means at front and rear of therigid encircling swing chair waist means to form a cage like swingchair.

The invention also provides a suspended see-saw which can be used onplayground equipment, the suspended see-saw includes a pivot rod able tobe fixedly mounted to a cross member of playground equipment and aplurality of opposing suspension bars supporting seat structures at alower end and mounted at spaced positions at an upper end to therespective ends of each of two spaced see-saw arms which are centrallyand pivotally mounted on the pivot rod at spaced positions, whereby thesupported seat structures undertake a limited swing and see-saw action.

The limit of the swing and see-saw action can be limited by the lengthsof the see-saw arms and their relative spacing.

The two spaced see-saw arms can be substantially parallel and equallength and pivotally mounted at central points to spaced positions onlinear pivot rod with suspension bars joined at respective end points ofthe see-saw arms so as to form a shape between the see-saw arms andsuspension bars extending therebetween moving from a rectangular to atrapezoidal shape, which results in opposing C-shape travel of thesupported seat structures at the lower end of the suspension bars.

It can be seen that the invention provides a multitude of improvementsto playground equipments. In particular the invention providesplayground equipment that allows modular creation and expansion of theplayground equipment by its inherent design features.

In order that the invention is more readily understood embodiments ofthe playground equipment and component parts therefore will be describedby way of illustration with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of playgroundequipment in accordance with the invention having a single first swingmeans with extension mounted rotating equipment piece;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of playgroundequipment in accordance with the invention having two equipment piecesbeing first and second swing means, also with an extension mountedrotating equipment piece;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of playgroundequipment in accordance with the invention having an altered first swingmeans also with extension mounted climbing equipment piece from theplayground equipment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of playgroundequipment in accordance with the invention having first, third andfourth three swing means pieces with extension mounted rotatingequipment piece and includes a double action mechanism to form a swingsee-saw;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second rotating means, which can beincorporated on the extension of the playground equipment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first climbing equipment of FIG. 3,which can be incorporated on the playground equipment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alterable suspension means for use insuspending the swing systems and other equipment pieces of theplayground equipment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partially disassembled alterablesuspension means of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first swing means of FIG. 1 in analtered first swing means in an enclosed seat configuration as shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a close-up perspective front view of the enclosed seat of thealtered first swing means of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a close-up perspective rear view of the enclosed seat of thealtered first swing means of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an exploded underneath perspective view of the enclosed seatof the altered first swing means of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an exploded side perspective view of the enclosed seat of thealtered first swing means of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a close-up partial side elevation of the enclosed seat of thealtered first swing means of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the fourth swing means, which can beincorporated on the extension of the playground equipment and includes adouble action mechanism to form a swing see-saw;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrammatic views of the swing see-saw of FIG. 15showing the principle of the double action mechanism;

FIG. 18 is a partial top view of a partially disassembled swing see-sawof FIG. 15 showing the internal elements of the double action mechanism;

Looking at the invention of the playground equipment and component partsin detail and with reference to the drawings there are the followingparts:

A. Frame structure;B. Alterable suspension means;C. Alterable swing chair;D. Suspended see-saw; andE. Modular system.

A. Frame Structure

The frame structure is shown particularly in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprisingfirst and second frame supports 12, 13 with each including a framesupport body 21 a, 13 a and a frame support base 12 b 13 b. The framesupport bodies are substantially A-frames and the frame support basesare substantially C-shaped cylindrical rods connecting to the ends of arespective one of the A-frame frame support bodies 12 a 13 a to formoutwardly extending frame support bases.

The first and second frame supports 12, 13 are arranged in an opposingmanner such that the respective frame support bases 12 b, 13 b extendaway from each other and the A-frame support bodies 12 a, 13 a areangled towards each other and connected at respective upper connectingpoints to a crossbeam 15. Connector covers 17 being ball like structurescover connections. The configuration of the first and second framesupports 12, 13 makes an extremely stable support structure. Inparticular the frame support bases 12 b, 13 b are ground engaging andprovide a large footprint for aiding support.

Swing means of various types can be suspended from the crossbeam 15extending between the first and second frame supports 12, 13.

These include:

-   -   a first swing means 41 comprising a swing seat for children over        the age of 3;    -   a second swing means 42 being a two seater carriage swing        comprising two seats mounted at either end of two support bars        which are suspended from two spaced poles mounted to a bracket        allowing spacing of the top of the poles and allowing a gentle        restricted carriage swing;    -   an altered swing means 43 based on the first swing means and        will be further described in detail later;    -   a third swing means 44 being a suspended combined gymnastic bar        and rings; and    -   a fourth swing means 45 being a suspended see-saw mechanism and        will be further described in detail later.

It should be understood that other swing means or other suspended orsupported climbing structures or play equipment.

The cross beam 15 is sized or can be extended by addition of extensionbeam 16 to extend beyond the connection points 17 of the cross beam 15to the first or second frame supports 12, 13. This provides acantilevered suspension arm for suspending a further swing or climbingmeans or the like. However particularly favourable is to have the crossbeam 15 sized or extended by addition of extension beam 16 to protrudebeyond the connection points 17 and to substantially overly theextension of the frame support base 12 b, or 13 b. This allows a furtherswing or climbing means or the like to be connected therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 1 only one side of the cross beam 15 is extendedcollinearly by bolting extension beam 16 and to overly the frame supportbase 12 b. A swing or climbing means or the like is connected at a lowerend to the frame support base. In this case a rotating swirl means 46having a rigid elongated swirl pole is mounted on a pivot point on theframe support base 13 b and held at the top end by capturing means 19 atthe distal end of the extension beam 16 to allow rotation of the swirlpole. A circular disc near the bottom of the rotating swirl means 46 isfor the user to stand on and the shape of pole allows user to swivelaround vertical axis.

Examples of swing or climbing means or the like other than the rotatingswirl means 46 which can be connected between the extension bar 16 andat a lower end to the frame support base 13 b are:

-   -   a second rotating means 47 as shown in FIG. 5 comprising a        flexible rope mounted between the extension bar and frame        support base and adjustable by alterable suspension means as        will be further described later. The bottom of the second        rotating means 47 includes a disc fixed around a pole that can        rotate around the rope with a handle at waist level to assist        the user to stand on the disc and sway and swivel;    -   a climbing means 48 as shown in FIG. 6 comprising similar rope        structure as the second rotating means connected between the        extension bar and frame support base and having an        intermediately mounted pole with spaced projections on        alternating sides to form a climbing structure.

Other devices that can be mounted on playground equipment include a ballreturn chute 49 such as fitted to the end of the cross beam 15 distal tothe crossbeam extension 16, and a goal net 50 which fits within theframe support 12.

The frame support body and frame support base also can provide a volumethat can be used in a number of ways including forming an enclosedtee-pee type tent by extending material between the outer edges of theframe support body and frame support base.

It can be seen that the structure thereby provides an improvedplayground equipment that can include further swing or climbing means orthe like without substantially increasing the strength of the cross beamrequiring larger load bearing piping or the like.

B. Alterable Suspension Means

In FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown an embodiment of the alterablesuspension means 51 for use with a rope 52 or other elongated flexiblecord for suspending swing elements or climbing means or the like ofplayground equipment.

The alterable suspension means 51 includes a cleat plate 53 with aplurality of holes 54 to allow the rope 52 or other elongated flexiblecord to be woven through the plurality of the cleat holes 54 to providea frictional hold of the rope or other elongated flexible cord.

The alterable suspension means further includes a closable casing forenclosing the cleat holes. The cleat is encased by two matinghemispherical type bodies 55, 56 of substantially elliptical shape andis fixed together by detachable screw means 59.

In use the alterable suspension means is able to receive said rope orother elongated flexible cord and allow a selective suspended length andthe alterable suspension means is able to be encased to preventaccidental access.

The invention thereby allows selective fixing of adjustable height ofswing elements or climbing means or the like to playground equipment byuse of the alterable suspension means for each suspended rope or otherelongated flexible cord. The children using the swing elements orclimbing means or the like of the playground equipment are not able toaccess the cleat holes and thereby not alter the length or be able to beinjured by the mechanism.

The alterable suspension means can further be used as a rope or otherelongated flexible cord ending means such that a loose end after fittingaround a piece of swing elements or climbing means can be connected backto the suspended rope or other elongated flexible cord.

C. Alterable Swing Chair

The alterable swing chair is shown in FIGS. 9 to 14 and is used on aswing of playground equipment.

The alterable swing chair 61 has a substantially planar swing seat 71that can be suspended by ropes 52 or other elongated flexible cords fromplayground equipment and used as a swing means. The alterable swingchair 61 further includes a swing chair waist means 81 having anencircling structure that can be positioned between the spaced ropes 52or other elongated flexible cords at a position spaced above the swingseat 71. A cage attachment means 91 extends between the swing seat 71and the swing chair waist means 81 for forming a cage like structurepreventing a child under the age of 3 sliding off the swing seat.

The swing seat 71 is substantially planar and having two spaced holes72, 73 at either side and parallel grooves 74, 75 extending across theunderside of the seat between respective side holes 72, 73 such that theswing seat can be suspended and supported by the ropes 52 or otherelongated flexible cords entering the side holes 72, 73 and fittingwithin the parallel grooves 74, 75 and connecting back to the suspendedrope 52 by alterable suspension means 51 having encased cleat means.

The swing chair waist means 81 has an encircling structure 82 having adouble wall structure 82A, 82B substantially closed at the top andsubstantially open at the bottom. The encircling structure 82 includesopposing rope receptacles 83 comprising slits 84 in the outer wall 82Aof the double wall structure to receive the ropes 52 and furtherincluding shaped cavities 85 for allowing mounting of the ropereceptacles 83 on the encased cleat means 51. This allows positioning ofthe swing chair waist means 81 between the spaced ropes 51 or otherelongated flexible cords at a position spaced above the swing seat 71.

The cage attachment means 91 includes a U shape for extending around theswing seat 71 and between the swing seat and the swing chair waist means81 for forming a cage like structure preventing child under the age of 3sliding off the swing seat. The cage attachment means 91 has engagementmeans 92 in the form of inwardly facing protrusions from the U shape andspaced from the base of the U shape to resiliently capture the swingseat 71 therebetween. Also the cage attachment means 91 has front andrear cage connection means 93, 94 for mating with cage connection means87, 88 on the front and rear of the swing chair waist means 81. The rearcage connection means 94 includes a pivot pin 95 which fits into a slotin the mating rear cage connection means 88 to allow the U shape cageattachment means to remain attached at the rear and pivot away from theseat after it has been resiliently deformed to disconnect from the swingseat 71.

The U shape of the cage attachment means 91 provides a central frontnarrow element extending between the swing seat 71 and the swing chairwaist means 81 and allows the user of the swing chair to have legsastride either side to provide a caged arrangement preventing the childunder the age of 3 sliding off the front of the swing chair.

In use a swing seat 71 suitable for children over 3 years of age can beconverted to a swing chair 61 suitable for children under 3 years of ageby positioning a substantially rigid swing chair waist means 81 formingan encircling means between opposing ropes 52, which are suspending theswing seat 71. Side rope receptacles 83 on the swing chair waist means81 enable it to receive the rope 52 and engage and capture the rope orattachments. The next step is to connect a U-shaped cage 91 around theswing seat 71 and connecting to connection means 87, 88 at front andrear of the rigid encircling swing chair waist means 81 to form a cagelike swing chair 61.

The conversion means can be a kit for converting a swing seat suitablefor children over 3 years of age to a swing chair suitable for childrenunder 3 years of age the kit including the swing chair waist means 81having the encircling means and side rope receptacles enabling it toreceive the rope suspending the swing seat 71 and engage the rope orattachments. Further the kit includes the U-shaped cage 91 able to beconnected around the swing seat 71 and connect to connection means 87,88 at front and rear of the rigid encircling swing chair waist means 81to form the cage like swing chair.

D. Suspended See-Saw

As seen in FIGS. 15 to 18 there is a shown a suspended see-saw 45, whichcan be used on playground equipment.

The suspended see-saw includes a pivot rod 112 able to be fixedlymounted to a cross member 15 of playground equipment. Two cross membersbeing first see-saw arm 121 and second see-saw arm 131 mounted at theircentre to spaced positions on the suspended vertically extending pivotrod 112 mountable on the cross beam 15.

The suspended see-saw 45 further includes a plurality of opposingelongated suspension bars 115, 116 supporting seat structures 117, 118at a lower end with protruding handles 119, 120 spaced just above theseat structures for a rider to hold. The upper end of the suspensionbars 115, 116 are mounted at spaced positions to respective ends of eachof the two spaced see-saw arms 121 131 which are centrally and pivotallymounted on the pivot rod 112.

The two spaced see-saw arms 121, 131 comprise elongated linear bars 125,135 joined at the centre pivots 122, 132 to the pivot rod 112 and joinednear their ends 123, 124, to the suspension bards 115, 116. Extendedinfinity shaped covers 124, 125 cover the bars 125, 135 and theconnections to the suspension bars 115, 116 and provide an aestheticlook. The two spaced see-saw arms 121, 131 are substantially paralleland equal length and pivotally mounted at central points to spacedpositions on linear pivot rod with suspension bars joined at respectiveend points of the see-saw arms so as to form a rectangular totrapezoidal shape of the see-saw arms and suspension bars extendingtherebetween which results in opposing C-shape travel of the supportedseat structures at the lower end of the suspension bars. Thereby thesupported seat structures undertake a limited swing and see-saw action.

The limit of the swing and see-saw action can be defined by the lengthsof the see-saw arms and their relative spacing.

E. Modular System.

It can be seen from all of the Figures that the invention provides theinvention provides a multitude of improvements to playground equipments.In particular the invention provides playground equipment that allowsmodular creation and expansion of the playground equipment by itsinherent design features

It should be understood that the above description is of preferredembodiments and included as illustration only. It is not limiting of theinvention. Clearly a person skilled in the art without any inventivenesswould understand variations of the playground equipment and componentparts and such variations are included within the scope of thisinvention

1: Playground equipment comprising a frame structure having first andsecond frame supports arranged in opposing manner and connected atrespective upper connecting points to a cross beam from which swingmeans of various types can be suspended; each of the opposing first andsecond frame supports including a frame support body and a frame supportbase; the respective frame support bodies extending substantially in afirst plane in a diverging manner from a top connecting point to thecross beam; the respective frame support bases extending substantiallyin a second plane from an outer side of, and at an angle to, the firstplane of the diverging frame support bodies; wherein the frame supportbases respectively extend outwardly of the opposing first and secondframe support bodies to provide a stable support of the playgroundequipment. 2: Playground equipment according to claim 1 wherein theframe support bases extend from a distal end of the first and secondframe support bodies from the connecting point and at an angle to theframe support bodies such that in use a substantial portion of the framesupport bases are ground engaging. 3: Playground equipment according toclaim 2 wherein the frame support bodies are substantially A-frame andthe frame support bases are opposing curved cylindrical rods extendingfrom the bottom of each frame support base. 4: Playground equipmentaccording to claim 3 wherein the frame support bases comprise asubstantially C-shaped cylindrical rod connecting the ends of arespective one of the A-frame frame support bodies. 5: Playgroundequipment according to claim 1 wherein the frame support bases extendoutwardly from the from the frame support bodies at a ratio of theextension frame support base to the height of the frame support body ofat least 1:5. 6: Playground equipment according to claim 1 wherein thecross beam is sized to extend beyond the connection points to the firstor second frame supports to provide a cantilevered suspension arm and tosubstantially overly the extension of the frame support base and allow afurther swing or climbing means or the like to be connectedtherebetween. 7: Playground equipment according to claim 1 including oneor more alterable suspension means for use in supporting swing elementsor climbing means or the like of playground equipment; the alterablesuspension means including a rope or other elongated flexible cord and acleat having a plate with a plurality of holes to allow the rope orother elongated flexible cord to be woven through a plurality of saidcleat holes to provide a frictional hold of said rope or other elongatedflexible cord; and the alterable suspension means further including aclosable casing for enclosing the cleat holes; wherein the alterablesuspension means is able to receive said rope or other elongatedflexible cord and allow a selective supporting suspended length and thealterable suspension means is encased. 8: Playground equipment accordingto claim 7 wherein the cleat is encased by two mating substantiallyhemispherical type bodies of circular, elliptical or other curved shapeand is fixed together by detachable fixing means such as screw means orchild proof locking catch. 9: Playground equipment according to claim 7having a rope or other elongated flexible cord and two alterablesuspension means wherein the first allows adjustable length ofsuspension along rope or other elongated flexible cord suspended fromthe cross beam and the second is used as a rope or other elongatedflexible cord ending means such that a loose end after fitting around apiece of swing elements or climbing means can be connected back to thesuspended rope or other elongated flexible cord to attach the swingelements or climbing means to the suspended rope or other elongatedflexible cord. 10: Playground equipment according to claim 7 having arope or other elongated flexible cord and an alterable suspension means,and the attachable swing elements or climbing means having an attachmentengagement body portion which is shaped complementary to at least a topportion of the alterable suspension to the suspended rope or otherelongated flexible cord wherein the attachment engagement body portionis used to rest and support the swing elements or climbing means on thealterable suspension means to the suspended rope or other elongatedflexible cord. 11: Playground equipment according to claim 7 wherein theattachment engagement body portion of the swing elements or climbingmeans includes a cup shape with a vertical cutaway extending from a sideto a top portion to allow the suspended rope or other elongated flexiblecord to be received in the vertical cutaway and allow mounting of theswing or climbing means while the alterable suspension means is attachedto the suspended rope or other elongated flexible cord. 12: Playgroundequipment according to claim 7 including an alterable swing chaircomprising a substantially planar swing seat that is suspended by ropesor other elongated flexible cords from the cross beam; the alterableswing chair further including a swing chair waist means having anencircling structure that can be positioned between the spaced ropes orother elongated flexible cords at a position spaced above the swingseat; and the alterable swing chair further including a cage attachmentmeans extending between the swing seat and the swing chair waist meansfor forming a cage like structure preventing child under the age of 3sliding off the swing seat. 13: Playground equipment according to claim7 wherein the swing chair waist means and rear of the cage attachmentmeans further includes a supporting rear surface for providing at leasta partial back support for the child under the age of
 3. 14: Playgroundequipment according to claim 7 wherein the swing chair waist meansincludes opposing rope receptacles for receiving the ropes or otherelongated flexible cords or attachments on the ropes at opposite sidesof the swing seat to assist retention of the swing chair waist means inposition. 15: Playground equipment according to claim 7 wherein theswing chair waist means includes cage connection means at front and backand spaced from the opposing rope receptacles to further assistretention of the swing chair waist means in position. 16: Playgroundequipment according to claim 15 wherein the cage connection meansincludes a central front narrow element extending between the swing seatand the swing chair waist means allowing the user of the swing chair tohave legs astride either side to provide a caged arrangement preventingthe child under the age of 3 sliding off the front of the swing chair.17: Playground equipment according to claim 7 wherein the central frontnarrow element connects to the swing chair waist means by the front cageconnection means. 18: An alterable swing chair which can be used forplayground equipment comprising a swing seat, a swing chair waist means,and an interconnecting cage attachment means wherein the swing seat isable to be suspended by ropes or other elongated flexible cords from theplayground equipment; the swing seat being substantially planar andhaving two spaced bores at either side and parallel grooves extendingacross the underside of the seat between respective side bores such thatropes or other elongated flexible cords by which the swing seat issuspended extends through the side bores and fits within the parallelgrooves and connects back to the suspended rope for connection such asby alterable suspension means having encased cleat means; the swingchair waist means having an encircling structure with a double wallstructure which is substantially closed at the top and substantiallyopen at the bottom, and including opposing rope receptacles includingshaped side body cavities with slits in the outer of the double wallstructure to receive the ropes or other elongated flexible cords forallowing mounting of the rope receptacles on the encased cleat meanswhich allows positioning of the swing chair waist means between thespaced ropes or other elongated flexible cords at a position spacedabove the swing seat; and the cage attachment means including a U shapefor extending around the swing seat and between the swing seat and theswing chair waist means for forming a cage like structure substantiallypreventing child under the age of 3 sliding off the swing seat, the cageattachment further having engagement means for engaging the swing seatand having cage connection means for mating with cage connection meanson the front and rear of the swing chair waist means. 19: A method ofconverting a swing seat suitable for children over 3 years of age to aswing chair suitable for children under 3 years of age the methodincluding the steps of: positioning a substantially rigid swing chairwaist means forming a encircling means between opposing ropes, which aresuspending a swing seat, by means of providing side rope receptacles onthe swing chair waist means able to receive the rope and engage the ropeor attachments; connecting a U-shaped cage able to be positioned aroundthe swing seat and connecting to connection means at front and rear ofthe rigid encircling swing chair waist means to form a cage like swingchair. 20: A kit for converting a swing seat suitable for children over3 years of age to a swing chair suitable for children under 3 years ofage the kit including: a swing chair waist means having encircling meansand side rope connectors able to engage or receive the rope suspending aswing seat and capture the rope or an attachment on the rope; and aU-shaped cage able to be positioned around the swing seat and connect toconnection means at front and rear of the rigid encircling swing chairwaist means to form a cage like swing chair. 21: A suspended see-sawwhich for use on playground equipment, the suspended see-saw includes apivot rod able to be fixedly mounted to a cross member of playgroundequipment and a plurality of opposing suspension bars supporting seatstructures at a lower end and mounted at spaced positions at an upperend to the respective ends of each of two spaced see-saw arms which arecentrally and pivotally mounted on the pivot rod at spaced positions,whereby the supported seat structures undertake a limited swing andsee-saw action. 22: A suspended see-saw according to claim 21 whereinthe limit of the swing and see-saw action is limited by the lengths ofthe see-saw arms and their relative spacing. 23: A suspended see-sawaccording to claim 21 wherein the two spaced see-saw arms aresubstantially parallel and equal length and pivotally mounted at centralpoints to spaced positions on linear pivot rod with suspension barsjoined at respective end points of the see-saw arms so as to form ashape between the see-saw arms and suspension bars extendingtherebetween moving from a rectangular to a trapezoidal shape, whichresults in opposing C-shape travel of the supported seat structures atthe lower end of the suspension bars.